007 First Light State of Play Didn’t Do the Game Any Favors

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As a gamer, I’m quite thrilled about the recent gameplay reveal of “007 First Light” during the State of Play broadcast today. It’s intriguing that they chose to unveil gameplay for

For those eagerly awaiting details about IO Interactive’s take on James Bond’s origins, you’ll be thrilled to hear that the opulent Legacy edition has been unveiled, and it’s officially confirmed that 007 First Light will launch on March 27, 2026. However, this presentation raises a question about the importance of dedicated, single-game State of Plays, as some might argue that 007 First Light, in its current form, didn’t quite live up to its full potential.

007 First Light isn’t Looking as Suave as Its Protagonist

In the State of Play gameplay for 007 First Light, the initial scene doesn’t immediately thrust you into high-stakes action, but rather features a prolonged, picturesque car ride towards the Slovakian Carpathian Hotel, accompanied by voiceover dialogue. This period seems to serve as a driving tutorial. The start of the gameplay showcase for 007 First Light has an unusual focus, delaying substantial events for quite some time, which is an unconventional choice considering it’s the debut of this new title.

This early gameplay exhibits a deliberate, thoughtful style that might resonate strongly with fans of IO Interactive’s Hitman series. In essence, 007 First Light appears to be blending elements of Hitman and Uncharted, but its pacing could potentially be its weakest point as it grapples with both aspects of its identity. It wouldn’t be fair to claim that a 007 game should focus exclusively on action-packed sequences without giving those sequences room to breathe and develop an immersive atmosphere and world-building. As an opening level, it seems quite acceptable.

It’s worth noting that “First Light” might not initially offer an engaging experience for players, as it takes quite some time (from 1:13 to 6:29) during the State of Play showcase footage before they get to control James Bond outside of a vehicle. Furthermore, it isn’t until 14:06 that any thrilling action, specifically a car chase, ensues. In essence, this excerpt from State of Play indicates that players may find themselves spending a considerable amount of time behind the wheel.

Dedicated State of Plays are Naturally a Mixed Bag

It was clear that 007 First Light‘s State of Play would primarily offer information and gameplay, as it focused on James Bond’s initial MI6 mission. Given this, it wasn’t designed to captivate everyone, particularly those uninterested in 007 First Light. The problem with single-game State of Play events is that they tend to cater to a specific audience. If the game isn’t already popular, the showcase will likely appeal to a niche group. This is different from broader State of Play events, which usually provide updates on previously announced games and introduce exciting new PlayStation games from various studios.

In a similar vein, one could convincingly assert that the presentation style of “Ghost of Yotei”‘s State of Play showcase shares characteristics with press events featuring multiple games, offering glimpses into what players can anticipate from PlayStation. The State of Play for “007 First Light” serves as additional evidence supporting this comparison.

Interestingly, it’s being reported by Insider Gaming that a State of Play event, potentially showcasing Insomniac’s Marvel’s Wolverine, might take place towards the end of the month, assuming the information is accurate.

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2025-09-04 02:37